Floor Statements

I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Illinois, for his leadership on this crucial effort to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime, and I rise in support of his resolution to congratulate Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Since her sister's death 30 years ago, Nancy has been devoted to finding a cure for breast cancer. As founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the 5K Race for the Cure, Nancy has helped to raise almost a billion dollars for this noble effort. In my congressional district, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Race for the Cure has raised more than $4.5 million. Our yearly local events reach hundreds of thousands of people as an educational outreach tool and as a grassroots movement builder. The research grants from Nancy's foundation have contributed to many of the new treatments that have truly saved lives. Through efforts like hers, we have made important strides in increasing breast cancer awareness throughout our Nation.

Today, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is recognized as the leader in the fight against breast cancer. In solidarity with the countless survivors, like my good friend and Florida colleague, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, I thank Ambassador Brinker for all that she has done and certainly all that she will continue to do in this noble fight against breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for the time.

I rise in support of this resolution for the designation of an Early Detection Month for breast cancer. I do so in solidarity with and through the strength of thousands of breast cancer survivors.

Almost everyone in this country, unfortunately, knows someone who has suffered from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women, but it is becoming one of the most survivable cancers if the disease is detected early, which is the purpose of the bill before us.

We must remain vigilant in our efforts to educate and diagnose and treat. With these three pillars--education, diagnosis and treatment--we can and we will save lives. Let us make sure that we educate one another on the dangers of breast cancer and the need for early and routine checkups. Early detection makes the difference in surviving this terrible disease.

In memory of Congresswoman JoAnn Davis, who passed away at the age of 57 while serving last Congress after a 2-year battle with breast cancer, and for my baby granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth, let us make sure that our efforts to defeat this terrible disease continue with the same strength, and even stronger, in our efforts at early detection for all individuals in our country and, indeed, the world.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from California for the time.

I rise today as an original cosponsor of this bill.

As my colleagues have explained, this important measure would accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions to our relief efforts in Haiti. This means that those who are able to contribute now may receive the tax deduction for the 2009 filing period.

With over $40 million in private and corporate donations already made, this will be a great incentive for the American people to reach even deeper into our pockets and help our friends in Haiti. This, in turn, will augment U.S. Government efforts, demonstrating the clear benefits of public-private partnerships. And it is an important step at a time when we must do more with less in the face of rapidly rising deficits here at home.

There is no doubt that the United States, as a government and as a people, stand side by side with the people of Haiti during this most tragic time. Our assistance efforts so far are unparalleled, and last week, President Obama pledged $100 million in U.S. funding toward the relief efforts.

It is my hope that, after expeditious surveys of the damage, a significant portion of this funding will come from the $845 million in international disaster assistance that this Congress has already appropriated for fiscal year 2010. By pulling from these funds, we will be able to quickly address the humanitarian needs in Haiti right now.

In addition, I urge President Obama to immediately begin efforts to convene an international donors' conference to bring together other responsible nations and international organizations that can join the United States in committing efforts to help the Haitian people recover from this horrible disaster.

Keeping in mind the urgent nature of this much-needed assistance, it remains incumbent upon the U.S. to work to ensure that international donations are pooled and integrated, that pledges are tracked, and that transparency measures are put in place to help ensure that aid reaches those who need it.

Further, we should encourage joint ventures and public-private partnerships as we consider the many ways that we may help promote not only the immediate but also the long-term recovery of Haiti as well. The United States will do its share, but the rest of the world must do its best also. Other nations must not forget about Haiti, once the attention on the crisis has subsided, and leave the U.S., as has been often the case, to bear most of the responsibility for the recovery of Haiti.

Madam Speaker, we have all been deeply moved by the outpouring of support that we have seen from communities across the United States. Unsurprisingly, the Haitian American community has shown invaluable leadership in the aftermath of last week's tragic earthquake. Now more than ever, the U.S. must focus our efforts on engaging these communities to make sure that they are involved in the rebuilding of their native homeland.

The Haitian diaspora is a valuable resource that must be tapped to ensure that the stability, freedom, success, and prosperity that the Haitian people deserve finally come true.

I would like to thank Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member Camp for introducing this important measure. I strongly urge my colleagues to support its passage.

I thank the gentleman again for the time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today proudly as the lead Republican sponsor of House Resolution 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. Last week Haiti was hit by the largest earthquake to strike that Nation in over two centuries. Today Haiti was affected by a 6.1 magnitude quake or aftershock.

When the original quake hit last week, it was a day like any other. With elections on the horizon, a sense of stability slowly starting to be felt on the island, some believed that things were finally starting to look up for Haiti. And then without a warning tens of thousands were suddenly victims. Millions were left homeless, or hungry, or both. Buildings collapsed, countless disappeared, and the world was left asking how and why. The tremendous loss caused by this tragedy will stay with us long after the roads have been cleared and the physical wounds have healed.

My most sincere prayers and thoughts go to all who have been impacted by this horrible catastrophe. The desolation left in its wake is beyond words. And yet there is one thing that has been made clear. The people of Haiti are not alone in this trouble. Since news of the earthquake reached our shores, the American people have opened their hearts and their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Both through the many donations of money, food and water, volunteer work, and through the U.S. agencies providing disaster relief assistance, our Nation has been working around the clock to provide immediate help to all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy.

U.S. Coast Guard aircraft began arriving almost immediately to transport injured persons and conduct aerial assessments of the situation on the ground. Coast Guard cutters with medical and other humanitarian supplies arrived soon after, followed by our USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team, multiple U.S. urban search and rescue teams, including two from my area of Miami-Dade County, the 82nd Airborne Division and Marine contingency, emergency medical teams and food assistance, and of course the remarkable contributions made by private U.S. citizens and corporations, totaling over $40 million as of last week and still growing.

In addition, we have seen an outpouring of support from countries and people around the world. Among many steps taken by countries around the world, Israel sent a 220-person medical delegation and set up a much- needed field hospital. The European Union has reportedly pledged 200 million euros to help rebuild Haiti, over and above emergency aid that is already being sent by them. The British Government will triple its aid to Haiti to $10 million.

Israel quickly set up a full-service field hospital, as I mentioned before. But let me tell you, Madam Speaker, what it was equipped with: operating rooms, an intensive care ward, a maternity ward, a pediatrics ward, incubator units, a pharmacy, x-ray equipment, 10 tons of medical equipment, 90 beds, 66 intensive care beds, two delivery beds, approximately 250 personnel, including 40 doctors and specialists, 20 nurses, and several paramedics.

The search and rescue teams of the Israeli Defense Forces were also quickly deployed to Haiti, and include about 30 operators, and dozens of operations personnel, comprising logistics, information technology, communications, and even canine units. More IDF delegations are scheduled to depart to Haiti this very week.

As a result, this resolution importantly calls for certain accountability measures to be put into place in order to ensure that the support is delivered in a way that is immediate, that is targeted, that is coordinated, and that is transparent.

Now more than ever it is critical that our assistance go where it is supposed to go, when it is supposed to get there, and how it is supposed to get there. We have a responsibility to the people we represent and to the people we wish to help to ensure that the aid reaches its intended recipients and is used for its intended purposes. This is particularly important moving forward.

Again, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to all of those who are impacted by this series of earthquakes, and I reiterate the pride I feel as I look at how the American people, our constituents, have responded to the cries of anguish and the cries for help of the Haitian people.

Madam Speaker, with that I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), an esteemed member of the Appropriations Committee.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank and applaud the American people for the generosity and the compassion they have shown in the wake of this horrific tragedy. According to our State Department, the American Red Cross effort has received over 2 million contributors and raised over $23 million so far. In addition, we continue to see admirable contributions from many American corporations and businesses. My own district of Miami, Florida, has sent two urban search-and-rescue teams to Haiti and has pledged $60,000 to relief efforts. The Port of Miami and Miami International Airport are waiving certain fees for relief- related efforts. Also, several other assets from south Florida are also being utilized, including U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, which is serving as the operation center for the U.S. response in Haiti. Coast Guard Key West and Coast Guard Miami Beach, also Homestead Air Reserve Base, a departure point for the C-130s that are carrying relief, supplies, and personnel to Haiti, are playing an important role in this relief effort.

And just today, the USNS Comfort received its first Haitian patients, a 6-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man. They were flown via helicopter to the hospital ship. This is a nearly 900-foot floating hospital. The Comfort is reported to be carrying about 550 medical staff and about 60 civilian mariners.

So the American people have opened up their hearts and their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged Haiti. As a people and as a Nation, the United States will continue to move hand in hand with the people of Haiti to swiftly respond to and recover from this tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes of my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, a member of our House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from California (Ms. Lee) for the bipartisan approach to this terrible, terrible situation.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to Honor the Miami Medical Team Foundation, MMTF, a South Florida non-profit organization dedicated to improving medical conditions in third world countries. The Miami Medical Team Foundation has provided humanitarian assistance to countries that are hit by disasters.

Since 1980, the MMTF has helped families recoup from floods and hurricanes. In order to combat all disasters, The Miami Medical Team Foundation is compromised of doctors that specialize in different medical fields. These doctors go to great lengths to provide service for those in need. The Miami Medical Team Foundation provides relief to individuals and families by supplying food, clothing, medications, and other necessities. In addition to sending these supplies, The Miami Medical Team Foundation donates medical equipment to hospitals in affected countries. This wonderful organization provides relief missions ranging from basic health to refugee assistance. In addition to their excellent service, the MMTF covers all of the expenses of these relief missions. This self-funded foundation is truly committed to the greater good and I strongly commend their efforts.

I extend my gratitude to all of the employees and volunteers in The Miami Medical Team Foundation especially their chairman and president, Dr. Manuel Alzugaray, for all of his hard work and dedication. Dr. Manuel Alzugaray has been committed to helping others since the beginning of his long career. Through his studies, he has become a certified expert in matters dealing with terrorism and homeland security. He is a board certified expert in traumatic stress, making him a keen asset when dealing with sensitive global catastrophes. He has become an expert in treating those who have suffered mentally from the havoc of natural disasters. Dr. Alzugaray never ceases to make a tangible difference in the lives of many around the world.

The Miami Medical Team Foundation is devoted to serving anyone in need around the world and I strongly commend all of its efforts. I wish each and every member and volunteer the utmost success and again offer my utmost appreciation for all they do.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the Cuban- American Bar Association for its success and contributions to our south Florida community.

For nearly 40 years, the Cuban-American Bar Association has served the public interest by increasing awareness of the study of jurisprudence, fostering respect for the law, and increasing diversity in the judiciary and the legal community.

Given the tragic example of Castro's lawless regime, the members of the Cuban-American Bar Association are keenly aware of the importance of the rule of law and have dedicated their professional careers to its implementation and preservation.

This Saturday, the Cuban-American Bar Association will celebrate its installation of a new executive board. Incoming President Manuel Garcia-Linares and president-elect for 2011 Victoria Mendez will build upon the example of leadership left by outgoing President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr. Their dedication and professionalism are not only testaments to their characters but also to the Cuban-American community and to Hispanics in general.

I would also like to congratulate the incoming 2010 Board of Directors:

Nelson Bellido, Raul Chacon, Vivian De Las Cuevas-Diaz, Isabel Diaz, Sandra M. Ferrera, Monica Gordo, Anna Marie Hernandez, Javier Lopez, Ricardo M. Martinez-Cid, Nicole Mestre, Jennifer Perez, and Monica Segura.

Mr. Speaker, as I searched for the words to honor and remember Paula Nowakowski, the journey led me to former President Reagan.

President Reagan was an inspiration for Paula the professional, the strategist, the conservative, and, most importantly, Paula, the proud American, whose love of country brought her to the Congress and to John Boehner's staff.

President Reagan said:

Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us . .

. that in our time we did everything that could be done . . .

we kept them free; we kept the faith.

I think these words best encapsulate who Paula was--a tireless advocate; a devout Catholic; and a formidable warrior and human being.

We are all the better for having known her.

Paula, you will be sorely missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to give my heartfelt congratulations to Richard Alger on his recent induction into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Being named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame is a high honor, because it is the closest thing we have in South Florida to being named agriculture's man of the year.

With his very strong educational background, gregarious personality and true compassion for our community, Richard has been a strong voice for farming for over four decades.

Richard made his mark through his assistance to minority farmers in our area, as a board member of Farm Credit of South Florida; a generous contributor to the Farm Share program; and for working with the University of Florida on agricultural research.

I am pleased to join the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber, Jolayne, his family, including 17 grandkids, friends and neighbors in their celebration of his countless contributions.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for a new approach to bring our country back to where it was for most of the two centuries, the land of hope and opportunity.

Unfortunately, there is a growing fear about our Nation's future among many in my congressional district, as well as throughout the Nation. The economic recession continues, according to many constituents with whom I speak every day.

My constituents tell me how they have personally felt the constant drumbeat of rising unemployment, the ballooning cost of college tuitions, the reality of postponing retirement and the continuing credit implosion that has hurt so many homeowners and small businesses. No doubt our Nation continues to struggle and people need help.

But the congressional majority and the administration have spent the last year on an agenda that grows big government, that escalates the deficit, that borrows billions from adversarial foreign governments. As a result of this unprecedented government spending spree, our national debt will reach unchartered levels, doubling over the next 5 years and tripling in just 10 years.

Not surprisingly, as our debt doubles and revenues plunge, creating jobs has taken a back seat to other issues. The $800 billion stimulus bill has failed to create or save the millions of jobs that it promised. Since it was passed, in fact, we have actually lost 3.3 million jobs while the unemployment rate remains at 10 percent nationally, and in my home State of Florida it has now reached 11 percent. The question now is can we still grow our economy, create jobs and help struggling families without further mortgaging our children's future.

First, we should agree to block any Federal tax increases until unemployment drops below 5 percent. Americans of all political persuasions can agree that the government should never raise taxes during periods of high unemployment.

Second, we need to restore confidence in America's economic future. Record

deficits and debt, combined with runaway spending, have shaken our confidence in our economic future. One proposal is to freeze domestic discretionary spending at last year's level without raising taxes. Proponents state that this would save U.S. taxpayers $53 billion immediately, but, more importantly, it would send a signal that we are committed to lowering the deficit.

Third, we need to approve three promising free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama that have stalled under this administration. Recently the President stated that increasing U.S. exports by just 1 percent would create over 250,000 jobs. Sure enough, the independent International Trade Commission estimates that these three deals would boost U.S. exports by over 1 percent.

Well, I look forward to hearing from the constituents of my congressional district in South Florida about how we can bring back economic growth and ensure that America will once again be the land of opportunity that I knew when I first came to this country almost five decades ago.

It's time to get our economy back on track.

I thank my good friend for the time.

I strongly support the resolution before us, Mr. Speaker, put forth by my good friend from Florida, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, related to breast cancer screening. It is through more effective screening strategies that we will save lives. Early detection makes the difference in surviving this terrible disease.

As proven by the heroic fight that we heard this morning, the incredible stories of will and perseverance of our colleagues, Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sue Myrick, screening must remain a priority; it must be our mission.

Almost everyone in this country, unfortunately, knows someone who has suffered from breast cancer. But, as is becoming more and more likely, we also know someone who has survived breast cancer, and they have survived breast cancer due to routine screening and early screening and screening for young women.

We must remain vigilant in our efforts to educate, to diagnose, and to treat. Let us make sure that our efforts to defeat this terrible disease is not put in jeopardy because insurance companies do not want to pay for routine screening for young women, screenings that could save their lives.

Thank you, my good friend from Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 3714, the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009.

I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), my good friend, and also my friend from Indiana (Mr. Pence), our conference Chair, for introducing this important legislation on an issue of growing international concern.

A free press is indispensable to an informed public, to government accountability, and to the efficiency and integrity of public and commercial institutions. Here in the United States we enjoy the benefits of a robust free press, protected by the First Amendment to our Constitution. But in many other parts of the world, telling the truth as a journalist is dangerous and an even deadly calling.

Sadly, this fact was underscored by the life and death of the person for whom this bill is named, the brave and accomplished Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. In 2002, while reporting in Pakistan, Pearl was kidnapped by violent Islamic extremists who chose to murder him on videotape, after compelling him to recite the fact of his Jewish religion on camera.

Whether the cause is extremism, corruption, political repression, or the dangers of reporting from conflict zones, journalists around the world face a rising tide of threats. So far this year, 68 journalists have been confirmed killed in the line of duty or because of their reporting. Nearly half of those, sadly, at least 30 journalists, were killed in the shocking election-related massacre in the southern Philippines on November 23. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, there has been a 9 percent increase over the 2008 levels in the imprisonment of journalists worldwide. The one-party regime in China continues to imprison the largest number of reporters of any one nation.

But the Iranian regime runs a very close second, and its closure of yet another newspaper last week is another sad reminder of the extent to which it has targeted independent and foreign media in the aftermath of the widespread election-related protests by the Iranian people.

And rounding out the shameful top three, Cuba suffers perhaps the greatest per capita levels of press repression. Even though it has only one-twelfth of the population of China, the Cuban regime imprisons roughly the same number of journalists. Just last month,

state security agents detained and beat Cuban bloggers Yoani Sanchez, Claudia Cadelo, and Omar Luis Pardo Lazo as they were on their way to a peaceful march in Havana. What a sad irony that is.

To help address these and other outrages, the bill before us today would beef up press-related reporting in the State Department's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Among other issues, the expanded reports would describe the extent to which foreign governments are complicit in attacks on press freedoms and what steps are being taken to protect the media and to prosecute those who attack and murder journalists. This new reporting will help focus the sunlight of public scrutiny even more powerfully on these violators of basic rights.

I want to thank, again, Mr. Schiff and Mr. Pence for bringing forward this important legislation, which deserves our unanimous support.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), the chairman of our Republican Conference, a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Pence is the primary cosponsor of this measure, and I hope that he takes the time to talk about our next bill, the Iran Sanctions Act, as well.

(Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and a cosponsor of this measure. I hope that he will address not only this resolution but the one that follows it, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time to talk about the problems of media control in Venezuela as ruled by Hugo Chavez.

As we know, there was a new intelligence report that outlined the schemes of Hugo Chavez, who is the supposed President of Venezuela, to control media. It is a sign of further deterioration of the freedom of expression, of democracy and of human rights in Venezuela under the Chavez rule.

He ratcheted up his rhetoric against free speech and against political opponents by shutting down broadcast stations across the country. These are assaults on the pillars of a democratic society, and they will continue unabated unless responsible nations stand up to Chavez and send a clear message to him and to others in the region that this behavior will not be tolerated.

There is a list that I would like to read of five journalists who were killed in Venezuela: Orel Sambrano of ABC de la Semana and Radio America, who was killed on January 16, 2009, in Valencia; Jorge Aguirre of Cadena Capriles, who was killed on April 5, 2006, in Caracas; Jorge Ibrain Tortoza Cruz, who was killed on April 11, 2002, in Caracas; Maria Veronica Tessari of Colombian Media, who was killed on January 15, 1993, in Caracas; and Virgilio Fernandez of El Universal, who was killed on November 27, 1992, in La Carlota, Venezuela.

Just a little while ago, the Committee to Protect Journalists gave us the news of a journalist who was critical of the Venezuelan Government. He was arrested on contempt of court charges. Journalist Gustavo Azocar was arrested with trumped-up charges. Azocar is the host of a news and political commentary show on local TV station Televisora del Tachira, and is a correspondent for the national daily El Universal in the western city of San Cristobal.

These are just more examples of the repression and suppression of free press by Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

Yes, I yield to the chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, my good friend from New York (Mr. Engel).

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, he makes excellent points also about the tie-in between Chavez and Ahmadinejad as they seek to suppress any dissidents and any free press.

I yield back the balance of my time.

No, I do not oppose the motion.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Since its secret nuclear weapons program was publicly exposed in 2002, Iran has manipulated nations, world leaders and the United Nations on its march toward possessing the capacity to unleash nuclear havoc on the world. Current and past regime leaders have made their intentions quite clear--the destruction of the State of Israel, the extinction of the Jewish people, a world without the United States.

Iran has already produced over 1,400 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, which can easily be used for a so-called ``dirty bomb.'' New Iranian documents have been revealed reportedly detailing a program to produce and test the trigger for an actual nuclear weapon.

Nuclear experts note that there is no other possible use for such nuclear technology, except for a nuclear bomb. And in September of this year, media quoted international inspectors saying, they ``believe that Tehran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is working to develop a missile system that can carry an atomic warhead.'' And U.S. officials have calculated that Iran already has stockpiled enough uranium to produce one nuclear weapon, even as it expands its enrichment capabilities.

We have arrived at the precipice, and we are staring into darkness. In February of 2006 the Congress adopted a concurrent resolution citing the Iranian regime's repeated violations of its nonproliferation obligations, underscoring that as a result of these violations Iran no longer had the right to develop any aspect of a nuclear fuel cycle and urging responsible nations to impose economic sanctions to deny Iran the resources and the ability to develop nuclear capabilities. Three years later, the idea that we could rely on the so-called international community to handle this problem has been shown to be a mirage.

But we, too, have failed to act quickly and decisively, failing to fully implement the range of U.N. sanctions that are already on the books. Now we must use the limited time remaining to impose sanctions so painful that they should threaten the Iranian regime's survival. Only when faced with the loss of power will the regime be compelled to abandon its destructive policies.

The bill we are considering today, Mr. Speaker, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which I joined Chairman Berman in introducing, ratchets up the pressure on the regime by targeting a key vulnerability, Iran's inability to produce sufficient gasoline and other refined petroleum products.

In recent years, Iran has estimated to have imported gasoline directly or indirectly from at least 16 countries, including China, India, the Netherlands, France, and the UAE, as well as global oil companies such as TOTAL and Shell. To stop this trade, the sanctions we're considering today must also be adopted by our allies, who continue to talk about the need to act but hide behind the claim that the U.N. Security Council must act first. But the U.N. Security Council, due in part to Russian and Chinese opposition, has demonstrated that it will never impose meaningful costs on the Iranian regime.

There is no shortage of measures available. What is lacking is the will. Beyond this bill today, Mr. Speaker, the broader question is whether we will be bystanders, complicit in our own destruction. As Churchill warned, ``If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed, if you will not fight when your victory will be sure, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival.'' For our survival, and for that of our friend and ally, Israel, render your full support to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm so pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the esteemed minority whip and a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, a true leader who understands the clear and present danger that Iran presents for the State of Israel and for the United States.

I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), a member of the Committee on Appropriations and a cosponsor of this measure from early on.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. He deals with this issue every day.

I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling), a member of the Budget Committee and Committee on Financial Services, a cosponsor of this bill, and a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and my friend.

Madam Speaker, I am so happy to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers), the vice chair of the Republican Conference, a member of the Armed Services Committee, Education and Labor Committee, and Natural Resources Committee, and the mom of Cole.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, sanctions, when fully enforced, weaken the oppressors and express support for the opposition. They send a clear message to the dissidents and those who are hungry for freedom that we stand with them. The refined petroleum sanctions bill will force the regime to use its resources to take care of the Iranian people, something that they have not done, instead of using its funding to develop nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them.

Support the Iranian people. Support peace and security. Support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise to address what could develop into a humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq. Residents of Camp Ashraf, opponents of the Iranian regime who found a home in Iraq, appear to have been abandoned by the United States and other nations as they are subjected to unlawful seizure and detainment by Iraqi forces.

The Iraqi government must be called upon to respect the human rights of Ashraf residents and to honor its written commitment that it will treat all Ashraf residents humanely. The U.S. Government must ensure that the new democracy that we have helped prop up in Iraq does not forcibly return Ashraf residents to Iran, where they will face certain persecution, torture, and possibly even death. They must not be relocated to any country where they will be persecuted based upon their beliefs.

On a day when we have demonstrated here on the floor our support for the people and pro-democracy forces inside of Iran, let us not forget those in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.

Madam Speaker, just last week we observed another Human Rights Day without freedom in Cuba.

As to be expected, the regime had its thugs out in full force to harass and attack all who dared to walk the streets in support of this important day and what it represents to the world community. For 2 days, the members of the peaceful Ladies in White group were pursued and harassed by agents of the regime. Marches and peaceful demonstrations in support of human rights and fundamental freedoms came to an abrupt end as state security forces rounded up, detained, and brutally attacked some of the participants.

Yusnaimi Jorge Soca, wife of Dr. Darsi Ferrer, was one of the many apprehended by the secret police on her way to one of the planned marches at the Villalon Park in Havana. Dr. Ferrer is an Afro-Cuban civil rights leader currently imprisoned by the dictatorship. His alleged crime? ``Illegally'' purchasing materials to repair damages to his home. The truth? Dr. Ferrer has worked tirelessly to expose the reality of Castro's apartheid health care system and the abysmal disregard for fundamental freedom and human rights. Yusnaimi was threatened on this Human Rights Day by the Cuban dictatorship, as well as her husband, in an attempt to intimidate them into submission and silence.

Those seeking freedom in Cuba, however, have shown time and time again that they will not waver in the face of repression.

The Castro tyranny does not limit the application of its repressive tactics to the oppressed Cuban people, however. For example, Chris Stimpson, Second Secretary of the British Embassy, was also pursued and chased away by the regime's mob apparatus on Thursday. And on Friday, an American

citizen was detained, likely in response to U.S. efforts to support the inalienable rights of the Cuban people. We are hopeful, Madam Speaker, for his immediate and safe return home soon.

For the people of Cuba, every day is a desperate struggle to maintain a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. Hundreds and hundreds remain behind bars due to their refusal to give up on that brighter future. We must never lose sight of the plight of those living under this dictatorial regime. We must also not turn our backs on these individuals by cutting deals with their oppressors. We must not put principle over profit, security before popularity. Though the Castro tyranny may try to convince the world otherwise, it will never miss an opportunity to tighten its iron grip on liberty.

It is time that the cruel veil of hypocrisy be lifted. The Cuban people are no less worthy of freedom and human rights than any other oppressed population. Nations and organizations and leaders worldwide, they do not hesitate to denounce the genocidal regime in Sudan, and I agree with them, or the brutal military junta in Burma, and I agree with them. However, they remain silent, and I don't agree with them, when it comes to the cries of those dying in Castro's jails because they seek freedom and democracy for their Cuban nation. How much more must the Cuban people suffer before the world acts decisively against this cruel regime and its communist leaders?

Those who ignore the struggles of the Cuban people serve as willing accomplices to their brutal oppressors. As Cuban dissident Dr. Ferrer said in his jail cell in his call for all Cubans to peacefully commemorate Human Rights Day: ``Governments, institutions, organizations, and human beings in general have an obligation to promote respect for fundamental rights and freedoms as well as ensure the recognition and universal and effective application.''

Dr. Ferrer continued: ``Our appeal will be for the recognition in every corner of the Earth for the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.''

Today, Madam Speaker, let us renew our commitment to bring the light of freedom to those living in the darkness of oppression, wherever that darkness is. Today, let us make clear that we will not stand for another Human Rights Day without freedom in Cuba.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the noble work of a wonderful south Florida organization, Shake-A-Leg Miami. Founded in 1982 by Harry Horgan, Shake-A-Leg Miami helps children and adults who have physical, developmental, and economic challenges. How does it do that? Through the joy of sailing.

Harry, who was paralyzed in a tragic automobile accident at the age of 22, did not let his disability keep him from his lifelong love of sailing. With optimism and determination, Harry created Shake-A-Leg Miami. Its programs have made a difference in the lives of over 10,000 individuals. For the past 25 years, Shake-A-Leg has been instrumental in empowering individuals so that they can reach their highest potential for an independent life.

My youngest daughter volunteered at Shake-A-Leg, and the experience for both participants and volunteers is life-changing. Shake-A-Leg is a remarkable organization whose contributions have made the lives of countless children more fulfilling. I am honored to have such a fine organization in my congressional district.